Dueling visions presented ahead of Plan Hamilton vote

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Two different visions of future growth in rural Hamilton County are making their case for what limits should be placed on new housing.

Plan Hamilton has been an ongoing effort to figure out what zoning regulations should be in place to deal with rapid growth.

This plan in particular has been controversial in areas like Birchwood, Sale Creek, and Ooltewah.

One vision of the plan presented by a citizen committee would put stricter restrictions on homebuilders in light of infrastructure concerns.

However a different version of the plan features amendments from the Chattanooga Home Builders Association they say would tackle an ongoing housing crisis.

Resident Anita Willerson said, “We are not against growth, we are not. We are not against progress. We want responsibility is what we’re looking for. We want balance. We want to maintain what we have in preserving our countryside.”

Those for the citizen’s version of Plan Hamilton say that their plan is able to preserve a rural character for portions of Hamilton County.

They say that current road and sewer infrastructure in rural areas cannot handle rapid population growth, and say the price tag for replacing roads such as Roberts Mill Road in Walden is too astronomical.

Resident Kirk Wells said of that Roberts Mill Road project, “They came up with a price tag of $170 million dollars, so, I mean that’s never going to happen.”

Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp says the amount of road projects underway is unprecedented due to the need for upgrades.

Mayor Wamp said, “The public should know not only that we are taking action on roads projects, but we are doing so in a manner that stresses our manpower and ability to project manage them.”

Among the Home Builders Association’s amendments include more houses per acre in various parts of the county among other requests.

They say that they need to be able to address spiking housing costs across the county.

Julian Bell, who is the intergovernmental director for the Home Builders Association, said, “Every county around Hamilton County has lower housing costs… Over 91,000 people per day drive into Hamilton County for work from outside of the county.”

Commissioner Joe Graham added that there “Is nowhere for Hamilton County workers to buy a homeBell also added that this is unnecessary regulation on top of the lack of suitable infrastructure.

He said, “Let’s not complicate that by adding an administrative and regulatory layer that accepts our technological deficiencies and says, “We’re stuck where we are. Let’s add regulations on top of it to require it.”

Commissioners say there may need to be more talks before a final vote.

Commissioner Chip Baker said, “I don’t know if I’ve seen any results from it. We need to take our time before coming to a final decision.”

The Hamilton County Commission will vote on both versions of Plan Hamilton next Wednesday.